JPM deal buzz & Rep. Auchincloss’ take on biopharma 

J&J’s nearly $15B neuro buy kicks off biotech meeting. Plus: Washington insights and 2024’s key FDA approvals

J&J’s $14.6 billion takeout of neurology play Intra-cellular headlined a buzzy start to the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, where a flurry of deal announcements recalled the conference’s pre-pandemic days. On the latest BioCentury This Week podcast, Director of Biopharma Intelligence Stephen Hansen and colleagues discuss the takeout of Intra-cellular Therapies Inc. (NASDAQ:ITCI) by Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), the third 11-digit neuro M&A in the past 13 months, as well as M&A involving  Idrx Inc. and GSK plc (LSE:GSK; NYSE:GSK), and Scorpion Therapeutics Inc. and Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:LLY).

Turning to Washington, Steve Usdin explores what’s behind BIO President and CEO John Crowley’s visit to Mar-a-Lago to meet with President-elect Donald Trump and impending changes at FDA under Trump 2.0. BioCentury’s Washington editor also delivers the key takeaways from his conversation with influential lawmaker Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) on BCTW’s sister podcast, The BioCentury Show. Finally, Executive Director of Biopharma Intelligence Lauren Martz breaks down the key trends in the past year in FDA approvals.

Watch Steve Usdin’s conversation with Rep. Jake Auchincloss on BioCentury’s YouTube channel or tune in wherever you get your podcasts.